Hawkeye

Born in a small Idaho town, Clint Barton and his older brother Barney were orphaned when their parents died in a car accident, caused by their alcholic father. After being turned down for

adoption several times, the brothers ran away from the orphanage they lived in and joined a circus. It was there that they met two of Clint's future enemies, the
Swordsman� and Trick Shot.

While both proved to be great teachers in honing Clint's aim and archery skills, it was their criminal behaviors that led him to leave both of them. As an adult, Clint replaced Trick Shot, now working as an asssasin for hire, as the circus' archer, showing off his almost superhuman skill with the bow and arrow. It was during a show in New York that Clint saw Iron Man� in action, and became inspired to become a superhero. Donning a purple and black costume, Clint dubbed himself Hawkeye and set out to join the ranks of superheroes. Unfortunately, his first night

out was a distaster, when a pair of policemen thought him to be a robber, and fired upon him. It was during his escape that he met and fell in love with the Black Widow, and together, they battled Iron Man on several occasions, until the Widow was injured by her Soviet masters. It was this event that made Hawkeye renew his efforts to become a superhero, and after displaying his skills, was made a member of the Avengers.